Southend United made a strong start to their pre-season campaign on Saturday, thrashing East Thurrock 7-0 at Rookery Hill.

Not this time - Southend debutant Wayne Gray fails to add to his two-goal haul at East Thurrock Picture: DAVE HENDERSON

A brace from Wayne Gray plus efforts from Mark Gower, Jim Corbett, Tes Bramble, Michael Husbands and a Scott Holding own goal saw the Blues record an emphatic triumph.

And Blues Boss Steve Tilson was delighted with his side's strong showing against the non league outfit.

"Everyone got 45 minutes, we fielded 22 players and it was a good workout for us," he said.

"It's not easy coming to places like this but we did well and there were some very good performances out there. Bart Griemink came in and did well, Andy Edwards was quality. Wayne Gray scored two, two other strikers netted as well, plus Michael Kightly was excellent so it was a good afternoon for us.

"The players improved their fitness and we are where we want to be right now."

Tilson's words followed a match which was evenly contested during the opening exchanges. Andy Edwards headed a Drewe Broughton flick against the East Thurrock crossbar after just six minutes but it was another half-an-hour before the deadlock was broken.

Last season's player of the year Mark Gower raced onto trialist Matt Judge's through ball to drill a low, left foot shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Ten minutes later, Jim Corbett doubled the visitors advantage, stroking home a seven yard effort following some fine approach play from Kevin Maher with Judge once again involved.

After the break the Shrimpers, who made eleven half time substitutions, stepped up the tempo with Tes Bramble striking home a bobbling 25 yard shot to make it 3-0 in the 51st minute.

Published Monday July 19, 2004

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